Road-grading machine



Jan. 2, 1934. C. A GUSTAFSON' 1,941,833

ROAD GRADING MACHINE Filed July l0, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR v o CARL AuTAFsoN In l -M-OM ATTORNEYS Jan. Z, 1934. c. A. GUsTAFsoN L94L833 ROAD GRADING MAcHNE Filed July'lo. 195o 5 sheets-sheet 2 A 2 Mmmm@ N e* Q 3 INvEN-roR La GARL- A- GUSTAFSON B 7D l@ g j mul,

ATTORNYS VJan. 2,41934. c. A. GUsTAFsoN 1,941,833'r ROAD GRADI NG MACHNE Patented `ian.. 2, 1934 STATS ATNT! OFFiC ROAE-GRADING MACHKNE Application July 10, 1930. Serial No. 466,990

8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvenients in road-grading machines of the character employing one or more ground-engaging blades.

An object of the invention is to provide a road-grading machine comprising a frame provided with a plurality of ground-engaging blades, one of which is mounted for pivotal and longitudinal adjustments whereby it may be positioned to direct material to either side of the machine. i

A further object is to provide a road-grading machine comprising a frame having a portion thereof supported upon suitable carrying wheels mounted for vertical adjustment upon the frame and having means for simultaneously adjusting said wheels to vary the position of the frame with respect to the ground, and one of said wheels being provided with means' whereby it may be adjusted independently of the other of said wheels to eiiect the raising or lowering of one side of the machine frame.

A. further object is to provide a machine of the character described comprising a main frame having a portion thereof supported upon suitable garrying wheels and provided with a plurality of ground-engaging blades angularly disposed with respect to one another, whereby the material engaged thereby will be moved laterally from side to side over the road surface with respect to the machine frame, whereby high spots in the road surface may be removed by the cutting action of the blades and the low places or depressions in the road surface filled with the loose material moved by the blades, and one of said blades being adapted for pivotal and longitudinal adjustments whereby it may be positioned to direct loose earth or materialto either sdeof the machine or, if desired, it may be positioned substantially at right angles to the longitudinal center line of the machine whereby it may function as a scraper to smoothen the road surface.

Features of the invention reside in the means provided for adjusting one of the carrying wheels independently of the other of said wheels to facilitate raising or lowering one side of the machine frame; the means provided for adjustably supporting the rear scraper blade whereby it may be positioned at a desired angle with reference to the machine frame; the means for supporting the adjustable scraper blade whereby it may be moved longitudinally with respect to the main frame, regardless of the angle at which it may be positioned with respect thereto; and` ,to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specication:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a road-grading machine with the invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view on 75 the line 3 3 of Figure l, showing the adjustably mounted blade released from the side beams of the main frame to permit adjustment thereof;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 1, showing the means provided for securing the adjustable blade to the ymachine, frame, the blade being shown in the dotted line position indicated at A in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional View on the line 5 5 of Figure 3, showing the anti-friction rollers adapted to support the adjustably mounted scraper blade when the latter is disengaged from the side beams of the main frame, as when it is to be adjusted relatively thereto;

Figure- 6 is an enlarged detail sectional View on the line 6 6 of Figure l, showing the means for supporting one of the carrying wheels whereby it may be adjusted independently of the other of said wheels, some of the parts being omitted;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view on the line '7 7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 8 8 of Figure 4; and l Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9 9 of Figure 3.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a road-grading machine including a main -frame 2, comprising side beams 3 3 connected together by suitable cross members 4, 5, 6, and 7.

The main frame is shown provided with a plurality of ground-engaging blades 8 8, 9 9,

and 11 11, suitably secured thereto and preferably disposed in angular-relation, as best shown in Figure 1. The forward blades 11 11 are'posi- 1m tioned to direct the material inwardly towards the center of the machine, and the blades 9-9 are positioned to direct the material outwardly whereby the material will be engaged by the blades 8 and directed inwardly towards the center of the machine, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 1.

The forward end portion of the main frame 2 is shown movably connected with an auxiliary frame 12 having a pivotal connection with the main frame 2, as indicated at 13 in Figure 2. The forward end portion of the auxiliary frame is shown supported upon a suitable truck 14 provided with the usual draft pole or tongue 15 -and having a pivotal connection with the auxiliary frame 12 to permit turning movement of the grader. The forward end portion of the main frame 2 is adjustably connected with the auxiliary frame 12 so as to permit vertical adjustment of the main frame with respect to the ground.

The means for vertically adjusting the forward end portion of the mainframe is of ordinary well-known construction, and is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. It is shown consisting of a worm-and-gear mechanism 16 mounted upon a pair of transversely disposed cross-members 17 secured to the intermediate portion of the auxiliary frame 12. These cross-members have their end portions extending beyond the sides of the auxiliary frame l2 and connected together by tie members 18, upon each of which may be mounted a bearing 19 adapted to support the end portions of a shaft 2l operatively connected with the worm-and-gear device 16. `A chain 22 is shown secured to each end portion of the shaft 21 and is coiled thereabout as shown in Figure 1, and extends down- Awardly therefrom around a sheave 23 secured to the forward portion of the main frame 2, thence upwardly over a sheave 24 and has its end portion secured to the main frame as indicated at 25 in Figure 2. The sheave 23 is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2.

An operating rod 26 is operatively connected with the worm-and-gear device 16 by means of a universal joint 27 and has its opposite end supported in a standard 28 provided at the forward end of the auxiliary frame 12. A telescopic rod or shaft 29 is shown connected to the forward end of the shaft 26 by a universal joint 31, and extends forwardly therefrom and may have its opposite end supported upon the tractor or vehicle to which the grader may be coupled so that the shaft may be operated from a point forwardly of the grader.

The rear end portion of the main frame is` supported upon suitable carrying wheels 32 and 33. The wheel 32 is mounted upon a stub shaft 34 fixedly mounted in a crank 35 secured to one end of an axle 36 mounted in suitable bearings 37 provided upon the side beams 3-3 of the main frame 2.

A feature of the invention resides in the adjustable mounting of the wheel 33 upon the axle 36. This Wheel is rotatably mounted upon a stub shaft 38 having one end suitably secured in a crank arm 39 provided with a split hub 41 adjustably mounted upon a. sleeve 42, here shown integrally formed with a segment 43 which is keyed to the opposite end of the axle 36, as best shown in Figure 7. A set screw 44 cooperates with the key 45 to non-rotatably secure the segment 43 to the axle. The segment 43 is provided with a notched or corrugated surface 46 adapted to engage a correspondingly shaped surface 47 provided upon the inner side of the crank arm 39. An arcuately formed slot 48 is provided in the segment 46 adapted to receive a bolt 49 which also is received in an aperture 5l provided in the crank arm 39. The bolt 49 cooperates with the two surfaces 46 and 47 to secure together the -crank arm 39 and segment 43 for operation as a unit.

By thus mounting the wheel 33 upon the axle 36, the wheel may be relatively adjusted with respect to the Wheel 32 to allow for variations in the ground level as, for example, when the grader is traveling along one side of the road bed and one wheel is traveling in a gutter. It will also be noted that the wheel 33 may be vertically adjusted independently of the wheel 32, to facilitate raising or lowering one side of the machine frame.

Means are provided for vertically adjusting the two wheels simultaneousl n. Such means is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and consists of a pair of arms 52 secured to the axle 36 adjacent to the bearings 37 and having non-,flexible connections 53 extending forwardly thereof and provided at their opposite ends with suitable racks 54. Each rackn is shown engaged with a pinion 55 secured to a shaft 56 mounted in bearings 57 provided at the rear end portion of the auxiliary frame 12. A worm-and-gear device 58 is operatively connected with the shaft 56 and has an operating rod 59 extending forwardly therefrom and supported in the standard 28, in which the control rod 26 of the gear device 16 is mounted. A telescopic shaft 61 may connect the control shaft 59 with a suitable operating wheel or mechanism, not shown.

` A suitable tension spring 62 has one end operativelf,1 connectedwith one of the arms 52and its forward end connected by a chain 63 to a cross member 64 provided at the rear end portion of the auxiliary frame 12. This spring is adapted 118 to counter-balance a portion of the weight of the main frame 2 to facilitate vertically adjusting it. The dotted lines in Figure 2 indicate relative positions of the arms 52 and wheels 32 and 33, when the main frameA is in a lowered position.

Another feature of the invention resides in the novel mounting of the scraper blade 65 provided at the rear end portion of the mainframe 2, as best shown in Figure 1. This scraper blade is relatively longer than the other blades provided 125 upon the main frame, and is adapted for pivotal and longitudinal movement whereby it may be positioned as indicated by the full and dotted lines in Figure v1.

The'scraper blade 65 consists of a metal plate having suitable angle irons 66 and 67 secured to the upper portion thereof by suitable bolts 68. These angle irons are oppositely disposed, as shown in Figure 5, and their horizontal flanges are adapted to engage anti-friction rollers 69 mounted in a yoke 7l secured to a hanger or rod 72 rotatably supported in a bracket 73 secured to the cross member 4 at the rear of the main frame 2 (see Figures 1, 4, and 5). Cross member 4 is detachably mounted on side beams 3-3 by 140 means of bolts 4A which are inserted in selected apertures 3A in said beams. By adjusting member 4 forwardly or rearwardly on side beams 3-3 to selected fastening stations thereon, ^the central pivotal axis of movement for blade 65 is adjusted correspondingly.

Blocks 74 are slidably engaged with the angle irons 66 and 67 provided at the upper edge of the scraper blade 65, as best shown in Figures 4 and 8. Each block has a bolt 75 mounted therein which 150 secured to the side beams 3-3. A series of apertures 82 are provided in the flanges 81 adapted to receive dowels 83 mounted yin the end portions '79 of the clamping members 77, as best shown in Figure 4;

To secure the blade 65 in its adjusted positions, the clamping members 77 are positioned as shown in Figure 4 and the nuts 84 on the bolts 'Z5 tightened, whereby the end portion 79 of each clampingl member will clampingly engage the upper surfaces of the flanges 81 and cause the scraper blade to be elevated until the angle irons 66 and 67 at the upper portion thereof engage the lowers surfaces of the side beams 3-3 of the main frame 2. Before tightening the nuts 84, the blade is adjusted-to the desired angle with respect to the mainframe and the dowels 83 inserted into selected apertures 82 in the flanges 81 whereby,

when the bolts are tightened, the blade 65 will be f rigidly supported in its adjusted position.

By.y loosening the nuts 84 and moving the clamping members 77 out of engagement with the angesfl, the weight of the scraper blade will be supported upon the` anti-friction rollers 69 provided on the yoke '71, whereby the blade may readily be moved in a lengthwise direction, and, at'thesame time, rotated about the axis of the rod 'Z2 to the position indicated by the full and dotted lines in Figure 1.

When it is desired-to adjust the blade 65fromA the full line position shown in Figure 1, to the dotted line position B, indicated in this same figure, the clamping members 7'7 are moved out of engagement with the ilanges 81, whereby the blade may be moved .longitudinally in the direction indicated by the arrow in the upper left hand corner of the drawings, shown in Figure 1, so that the end portion 60 ofthe blade may be swung rearwardly past the wheel 33. The blade may then be moved to the dotted line position indicated by the letter A, in Figure 1, after which it may be moved in a direction towards the right hand side of the machine to permit the opposite end portion '70 thereof to be swung forwardly past the wheel 32, to the dotted line positionindicated by.4 the letter B in Figure 1. During such movement of the blade, substantially. the entire weight rof the blade will be supported upon the anti-friction rollers 69. When it is desired to adjlst the blade to a position at the rear end of the side beams, bolts 4A are removed and crossmember 4 is moved rearwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the desired position, bolts 4A being reinserted in the selected apertures 3A. When the blade has been moved to the desired position, 4it is secured to the main frame by means of the clamping members '77, as hereinbefore described. Y

The road-grading machine herein disclosed provides a very practical machine for smoothening the surfaces of road ways. T'he apparatus is so constructed that when the blades are moved into engagement with the ground, substantially the entire weight of the machine may be removed from the carrying wheels and transferred onto the blades so as to firmly hold the blades in engagement withI the ground surface. The independent adjustment of the wheel 33 with respect to the wheel 32 also permits one side of the machine frame to be raised or lowered whereby the blades may be vertically adjusted with respect to the road surface, and whereby the downward pressure exerted upon the blades by the weight of the machine frame and associated parts -may be equally distributed over all of the blades or, if desired, greater pressure may be exerted upon the blades at one side of the machine frame, than upon the blades at the opposite side thereof. The

novel mounting of the rear blade 65 alsopermits the machine to be adjusted so as to cause it to deliver the surplus material removed from the road bed to either side of the machine as may be desired. The mounting of the blade 65 is such that the operator of the machine may quickly vshift the position of tle blade to any one of its.

adjusted positions in acomparatively short time.

I claim as my invention: y

1. A road-grading machine of the class described, comprising a frame provided with a plurality of angularly disposed ground-engaging blades, one of which is mounted for universal adjustment, said frame having a cross-member located at the rear portion thereof, a support for said adjustable blade suspended from said crossmember, said support comprising a yoke provided with anti-friction means adapted to engage oppositely extending flanges provided at the upper edge of said blade whereby said blade may be moved in a lengthwise direction with respect to said support, and means movably supported upon the blade adapted to engage the frame to secure the blade thereto in -iixed relation.

2.- A road-grading machine of the class described, comprising a frame provided with a plurality of angularly disposed ground-engaging blades, the rear one of which is mounted for universal adjustment, a cross-member on said frame, a support for said adjustable blade suspended from said cross-member, said support comprising an upright rod having a pivotal connection with said cross-member and provided at its lower end with a yoke having-anti-friction means adapted to engage oppositely extending flanges provided at the upper edge of said blade whereby said blade may be moved in a lengthwise direction with respect to said support, and means movably supported upon the blade adapted to engage the frame to secure the blade thereto in an adjusted position. V

3. A road-grading machine of the class described, comprising aframe including side beams having flanges thereon each provided with a plurality of apertures, said frame also having a cross-member located at the rear portion thereof, a ground-engaging blade, a support for said blade suspended from said cross-member and located centrally thereof, said support comprising a yoke having means adapted to engage oppositely extending anges provided at the`upper marginal edge of ythe blade whereby the blade may be moved longitudinally with respect to said support, clamping elements slidably engaged with said oppositely extending blade iianges and adapted to be moved into engagement with the apertured iianges on said frame, and means on said elements adapted to be received in the apertures in said frame flanges to prevent longitudinal movement of the blade when secured in an adjusted position.

4. A road-grading machine of the class described, comprising a frame including side beams having laterally extending flanges thereon each provided with a plurality of apertures, said frame also having a cross-member located at the rear portion thereof, a ground-engaging blade, a support for said blade suspended from said crossmember and located centrally thereof, said support comprising a yoke provided with anti-friction rollers adapted to engage oppositely extending flanges provided at the upper marginal edge of the blade whereby the blade may be moved longitudinally "with respect to said support, clamping elements slidably engaged with said oppositely extending blade flanges and having portions adapted to be moved into engagement with the inwardly'vextending flanges on said frame, means on saidelements adapted tobe received in the apertures in said inwardly extending iianges to prevent longitudinal movement of the blade when secured in an adjusted position, and clamping bolts for securing said elements to the frame and blade.

5. A machineof the class described, comprising a frame having a scraper blade mounted therebe'neath and provided at itsoupper edge with oppositely extending flanges, a hanger suspended from said frame and having means at its lower end adapted to receive said flanges to provide a support for said blade, clamping members movably mounted on the flanges of said blade and each having means adapted to interlock with means on said frame, and means for actuating said clamping members to secure the blade to said frame in adjusted position.

6. A machine of the class described, comprising a f rame including spaced side rails having a scraper blade mounted therebeneath and provided at its upper edge with oppositely extending flanges, a hanger suspended from said frame and having means at its lower end adapted to receive said flanges to provide a support for said blade, said-hanger being adapted for rotary adjustment about a vertical axis, clamping members slidably mounted on the flanges of said blade and having 'oppositely extending portions adapted to interlock with means on said rails, ani means for actuating said clamping members to secure the blade to said frame in adjusted position.

7. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame having side rails each provided with an inwardly extending flange, a hanger suspend-l ed from said frame-and adapted for rotary movement about a vertical axis, va scraper blade provided with oppositely extending flanges slidably received in the lower portion of said hanger whereby the blade is adapted for rotary and endwise movement, clamping members slidably mounted upon the flanges of said blade and each provided at one end with a projection, the inwardly extending flanges of said frame having apertures therein adapted to receive said projections, and means for actuating said clamping members when said projections are engaged with said apertures, whereby the scraper blade may be immovably secured .to said frame in adjusted position, the connections between the scraper blade and said hanger and also the connections between the scraper blade and said clampingmembers being such that when the clamping members are disengaged from the flanges of said frame, the scraper blade may be detached from said hanger and clamping members to permit removal of the blade from the machine.

8. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame having an axle mounted thereon and provided at its ends with cranks, carrying wheels on said cranks. a scraper blade disposed beneath said frame; mounting means providing for adjustment of said blade on said frame comprisingV a ,hanger suspended from said frame and having' a running connection with the blade whereby the latter may be moved in a lengthwise direction, and clamping means on said blade and adapted to engage said frame to secure said blade in adjusted position thereon to control the angular adjustment of said blade with respect to the line of draft; means for leveling said blade with respect to a surface to be worked when the wheelsmust travel over different levels of ground comprising an adjustable connection between one of said cranks and said axle, and means for raising and lowering said blade with respect to the surface to be worked comprising means for rocking said axle.

CARL A. GUSTAFSON. 

